'All roads lead to Hughenden': a day of firsts at inaugural heifer sale

Roderick Prior from Hillview Homestead, Charters Towers with buyer Mark Williams from Markeen Droughtmasters and the top priced heifer of the Hughenden sale. Picture by Celia Freeman

Hughenden's inaugural heifer sale went ahead on the night of November 7 with four studs offering heifers to a large crowd of north western Queenslanders.

With 15 heifers on offer for the night, three sold for a clearance rate of 20 per cent, an average of $5333 and a gross of $11,000.

For the first time as a stud, Roderick and Emma Prior from Hillview Homestead, Charters Towers, offered a heifer that topped the day.

The Brangus heifer on offer was Hillview Homestead Vixen 14V, which was sired by Telpara Hills Solid Resolve 541T34 and out of Hillview Homestead Sophie, selling for $6000.

The 22-month-old sat in the top 7 per cent of the breed for intramuscular fat (+0.8) for October 2026 estimated breeding values.

She also sat in the top 25pc of the breed for 200-day weight and the top 30pc of the breed for carcase weight.

Roderick Prior of Hillview Homestead, Charters Towers had the top priced heifer of the sale. Picture by Celia Freeman

Mr Prior said he was happy to be part of the sale despite not wanting to let go of any of his females.

"It was a very tough sale, but we sold our heifer, so that was good," he said.

"I didn't really want to sell any females at the moment, but to support the sale, I was happy to.

"This is the first sale I've presented cattle in. I've only ever sold cattle out of the paddock through private sales, so I'm excited to be part of it, and I believe over time this will grow to be great."

According to Mr Prior, Vixen had exceptional bloodlines and was sold in calf to Hillview Homestead Warrior, the grand champion bull at this year's Hughenden Show.

"She's by a Telpara Hills bull I bought a few years ago out of a really good functional cow and she's in calf to a bull that I've bred," he said.

Hillview Homestead Vixen 14V was the top priced heifer at the inaugural Hughenden heifer sale. Picture from AuctionsPlus

Mr Prior said he believed bringing cattle closer to northern producers filled an important need in the region.

"I think it's good that people are bringing the bulls to the people," he said.

"Hughenden is a very central location and there is a great selection and a great cross-section of well-bred bulls, so I'm excited to see what happens."

This was also the belief of William Day of Milong Angus stud, Young, NSW, who offered eight black Angus heifers on the night.

"For the past six years we've been selling online and before that for nearly 100 years we've been selling privately," Mr Day said.

"One of our clients bought cattle and sent them up here, and ever since then we've been selling cattle in Hughenden and building up our clientele.

"We came up here for the show for the past three or four years and then when the organisers started this sale and asked if I'd like to be involved, I said 'I'd love to.'

"It's been magnificent the effort they've put in and the quality of all the different breeds here is fantastic.

"This is what this area needs."

Lochlan Salari, Triple E Brahmans, Prairie and Len Knuth from St Paul Station, Charters Towers. Picture by Celia Freeman

Lois Braes, Winton, Clancy and Jackie Middleton, Hughenden and Robert Braes, Winton. Picture by Celia Freeman

Fiona and Colin Malone, Mount Grant Droughtmasters, Kynuna. Picture by Celia Freeman

Olivia Price, Red Stone Brahmans, Hughenden and Martin Holzwart, Torrens Creek. Picture by Celia Freeman

Nick Malone, Charters Towers, Luke Carrington from Rondel Droughtmasters, Winton and Jadyn Brosman, Hughenden. Picture by Celia Freeman

William Day of Milong Angus Stud, Young, NSW. Picture by Celia Freeman

See those who attended the inaugural Hughenden heifer sale

Pictures by Celia Freeman

Flinders Rural's auctioneer Cody Rogers said although the sale did not go the way he thought it might, there was great support and a great future for the first heifer sale in Hughenden.

"It's a hotbed of genetics up here, and we've got five major roads into the town; all roads lead to Hughenden," he said.

"We're really excited to be a part of it, and I think in future it's going to get bigger and better.

"People will be able to come and buy genetics on their doorstep. The turnout tonight has been fantastic, and it can only go up.

"The number of people who have been out looking at the bulls this afternoon for tomorrow's sale has also been fantastic. It's really good to see the support they're receiving from the local area."

Vendor averages (for studs that sold 50pc of their offering)

Redstone Brahman stud: 2/4 average $5000

Hillview Homestead: 1/1 average $6000